Daniel Stetson

Analysis Assignment 1

GeorgiaStateConstitution

ARTICLEVIII.EDUCATION

SECTIONI.PUBLICEDUCATION

ParagraphI.Publiceducation;freepubliceducationpriortocollegeorpostsecondary
level;supportbytaxation.Theprovisionofanadequatepubliceducationforthecitizens
shallbeaprimaryobligationoftheStateofGeorgia.Publiceducationforthecitizens
priortothecollegeorpostsecondarylevelshallbefreeandshallbeprovidedforby
taxation.Theexpenseofotherpubliceducationshallbeprovidedforinsuchmannerand
insuchamountasmaybeprovidedbylaw.

SECTIONII.STATEBOARDOFEDUCATION

ParagraphI.StateBoardofEducation.(a)ThereshallbeaStateBoardofEducation
whichshallconsistofonememberfromeachcongressionaldistrictinthestateappointed
bytheGovernorandconfirmedbytheSenate.TheGovernorshallnotbeamemberof
saidboard.ThetenmembersinofficeonJune30,1983,shallserveouttheremainderof
theirrespectiveterms.Aseachtermofofficeexpires,theGovernorshallappointa
successorashereinprovided.Thetermsofofficeofallmembersappointedafterthe
effectivedateofthisConstitutionshallbeforsevenyears.Membersshallserveuntiltheir
successorsareappointedandqualified.Intheeventofavacancyontheboardbydeath,
resignation,removal,oranyreasonotherthanexpirationofamember'sterm,the
Governorshallfillsuchvacancy;andthepersonsoappointedshallserveuntilconfirmed
bytheSenateand,uponconfirmation,shallservefortheunexpiredtermofoffice.(b)
TheStateBoardofEducationshallhavesuchpowersanddutiesasprovidedbylaw.(c)
TheStateBoardofEducationmayacceptbequests,donations,grants,andtransfersof
land,buildings,andotherpropertyfortheuseofthestateeducationalsystem.(d)The
qualifications,compensation,andremovalfromofficeofthemembersoftheboardof
educationshallbeasprovidedbylaw.

SECTIONIII.STATESCHOOLSUPERINTENDENT

ParagraphI.StateSchoolSuperintendent.ThereshallbeaStateSchool
Superintendent,whoshallbetheexecutiveofficeroftheStateBoardofEducation,
electedatthesametimeandinthesamemannerandforthesametermasthatofthe
Governor.TheStateSchoolSuperintendentshallhavesuchqualificationsandshallbe
paidsuchcompensationasmaybefixedbylaw.NomemberoftheStateBoardof
EducationshallbeeligibleforelectionasStateSchoolSuperintendentduringthetimefor
whichsuchmembershallhavebeenappointed.

SECTIONIV.BOARDOFREGENTS
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Analysis Assignment 1

ParagraphI.UniversitySystemofGeorgia;boardofregents.(a)ThereshallbeaBoard
ofRegentsoftheUniversitySystemofGeorgiawhichshallconsistofonememberfrom
eachcongressionaldistrictinthestateandfiveadditionalmembersfromthestateat
large,appointedbytheGovernorandconfirmedbytheSenate.TheGovernorshallnotbe
amemberofsaidboard.ThemembersinofficeonJune30,1983,shallserveoutthe
remainderoftheirrespectiveterms.Aseachtermofofficeexpires,theGovernorshall
appointasuccessorashereinprovided.Allsuchtermsofmembersshallbeforseven
years.Membersshallserveuntiltheirsuccessorsareappointedandqualified.Intheevent
ofavacancyontheboardbydeath,resignation,removal,oranyreasonotherthanthe
expirationofamember'sterm,theGovernorshallfillsuchvacancy;andthepersonso
appointedshallserveuntilconfirmedbytheSenateand,uponconfirmation,shallserve
fortheunexpiredtermofoffice.

(b)Theboardofregentsshallhavetheexclusiveauthoritytocreatenewpubliccolleges,
juniorcolleges,anduniversitiesintheStateofGeorgia,subjecttoapprovalbymajority
voteintheHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenate.Suchvoteshallnotberequiredto
changethestatusofacollege,institutionoruniversityexistingontheeffectivedateof
thisConstitution.Thegovernment,control,andmanagementoftheUniversitySystemof
GeorgiaandalloftheinstitutionsinsaidsystemshallbevestedintheBoardofRegents
oftheUniversitySystemofGeorgia.

(c)Allappropriationsmadefortheuseofanyorallinstitutionsintheuniversitysystem
shallbepaidtotheboardofregentsinalumpsum,withthepowerandauthorityinsaid
boardtoallocateanddistributethesameamongtheinstitutionsunderitscontrolinsuch
wayandmannerandinsuchamountsaswillfurtheranefficientandeconomical
administrationoftheuniversitysystem.

(d)Theboardofregentsmayhold,purchase,lease,sell,convey,orotherwisedisposeof
publicproperty,executeconveyancesthereon,andutilizetheproceedsarisingtherefrom;
mayexercisethepowerofeminentdomaininthemannerprovidedbylaw;andshall
havesuchotherpowersanddutiesasprovidedbylaw.

(e)Theboardofregentsmayacceptbequests,donations,grants,andtransfersofland,
buildings,andotherpropertyfortheuseoftheUniversitySystemofGeorgia.

(f)Thequalifications,compensation,andremovalfromofficeofthemembersofthe
boardofregentsshallbeasprovidedbylaw

SECTIONV.LOCALSCHOOLSYSTEMS

ParagraphI.Schoolsystemscontinued;consolidationofschoolsystemsauthorized;new
independentschoolsystemsprohibited.Authorityisgrantedtocountyandareaboardsof
educationtoestablishandmaintainpublicschoolswithintheirlimits.Existingcounty
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Analysis Assignment 1
andindependentschoolsystemsshallbecontinued,exceptthattheGeneralAssembly
mayprovidebylawfortheconsolidationoftwoormorecountyschoolsystems,
independentschoolsystems,portionsthereof,oranycombinationthereofintoasingle
ArticleVIII.SectionV.ParagraphI.56countyorareaschoolsystemunderthecontrol
andmanagementofacountyorareaboardofeducation,undersuchtermsandconditions
astheGeneralAssemblymayprescribe;butnosuchconsolidationshallbecomeeffective
untilapprovedbyamajorityofthequalifiedvotersvotingthereonineachseparateschool
systemproposedtobeconsolidated.Noindependentschoolsystemshallhereafterbe
established.

ParagraphII.Boardsofeducation.Eachschoolsystemshallbeunderthemanagement
andcontrolofaboardofeducation,themembersofwhichshallbeelectedasprovided
bylaw.Schoolboardmembersshallresidewithintheterritoryembracedbytheschool
systemandshallhavesuchcompensationandadditionalqualificationsasmaybe
providedbylaw.Anyboardofeducationtowhichthemembersareappointedasof
December31,1992,shallcontinueasanappointedboardofeducationthroughDecember
31,1993,andtheappointedmembersofsuchboardofeducationwhoareinofficeon
December31,1992,shallcontinueinofficeasmembersofsuchappointedboarduntil
December31,1993,onwhichdatethetermsofofficeofallappointedmembersshall
end.

ParagraphIII.Schoolsuperintendents.Thereshallbeaschoolsuperintendentofeach
systemappointedbytheboardofeducationwhoshallbetheexecutiveofficerofthe
boardofeducationandshallhavesuchqualifications,powers,anddutiesasprovidedby
generallaw.AnyelectedschoolsuperintendentinofficeonJanuary1,1993,shall
continuetoserveouttheremainderofhisorherrespectivetermofofficeandshallbe
replacedbyanappointeeoftheboardofeducationattheexpirationofsuchterm.

ParagraphIV.Reserved.

ParagraphV.Powerofboardstocontractwitheachother.(a)Anytwoormoreboardsof
educationmaycontractwitheachotherforthecare,education,andtransportationof
pupilsandforsuchotheractivitiesastheymaybeauthorizedbylawtoperform.(b)The
GeneralAssemblymayprovidebylawforthesharingoffacilitiesorservicesbyand
betweenlocalboardsofeducationundersuchjointadministrativeauthorityasmaybe
authorized.

ParagraphVI.Powerofboardstoacceptbequests,donations,grants,andtransfers.The
boardofeducationofeachschoolsystemmayacceptbequests,donations,grants,and
transfersofland,buildings,andotherpropertyfortheuseofsuchsystem.

ParagraphVII.Specialschools.(a)TheGeneralAssemblymayprovidebylawforthe
creationofspecialschoolsinsuchareasasmayrequirethemandmayprovideforthe
participationoflocalboardsofeducationintheestablishmentofsuchschoolsundersuch
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Analysis Assignment 1
termsandconditionsasitmayprovide;butnobondedindebtednessmaybeincurrednor
aschooltaxleviedforthesupportofspecialschoolswithouttheapprovalofamajorityof
thequalifiedvotersvotingthereonineachofthesystemsaffected.Anyspecialschools
shallbeoperatedinconformitywithregulationsoftheStateBoardofEducationpursuant
toprovisionsoflaw.Thestateisauthorizedtoexpendfundsforthesupportand
maintenanceofspecialschoolsinsuchamountandmannerasmaybeprovidedbylaw.
(b)Nothingcontainedhereinshallbeconstruedtoaffecttheauthorityoflocalboardsof
educationorofthestatetosupportandmaintainspecialschoolscreatedpriortoJune30,
1983.

SECTIONVI.LOCALTAXATIONFOREDUCATION

ParagraphI.Localtaxationforeducation.(a)Theboardofeducationofeachschool
systemshallannuallycertifytoitsfiscalauthorityorauthoritiesaschooltaxnotgreater
than20millsperdollarforthesupportandmaintenanceofeducation.Saidfiscal
authorityorauthoritiesshallannuallylevysaidtaxupontheassessedvalueofalltaxable
propertywithintheterritoryservedbysaidschoolsystem,providedthatthelevymadeby
anareaboardofeducation,whichlevyshallnotbegreaterthan20millsperdollar,shall
beinsuchamountandwithinsuchlimitsasmaybeprescribedbylocallawapplicable
thereto.(b)Schooltaxfundsshallbeexpendedonlyforthesupportandmaintenanceof
publicschools,publicvocationaltechnicalschools,publiceducation,andactivities
necessaryorincidentalthereto,includingschoollunchpurposes.(c)The20mill
limitationprovidedforinsubparagraph(a)ofthisParagraphshallnotapplytothose
schoolsystemswhichareauthorizedonJune30,1983,tolevyaschooltaxinexcess
thereof.(d)Themethodofcertificationandlevyoftheschooltaxprovidedforin
subparagraph(a)ofthisParagraphshallnotapplytothosesystemsthatareauthorizedon
June30,1983,toutilizeadifferentmethodofcertificationandlevyofsuchtax;butthe
GeneralAssemblymaybylawrequirethatsuchsystemsbebroughtintoconformitywith
themethodofcertificationandlevyhereinprovided.

ParagraphII.Increasingorremovingtaxrate.ThemilllimitationineffectonJune30,
1983,foranyschoolsystemmaybeincreasedorremovedbyactionoftherespective
boardsofeducation,butonlyaftersuchactionhasbeenapprovedbyamajorityofthe
qualifiedvotersvotingthereonintheparticularschoolsystemtobeaffectedinthe
mannerprovidedbylaw.

ParagraphIII.Schooltaxcollectionreimbursement.TheGeneralAssemblymayby
generallawrequirelocalboardsofeducationtoreimbursetheappropriategoverning
authorityforthecollectionofschooltaxes,providedthatanyrateestablishedmaybe
reducedbylocalact.

ParagraphIV.Salestaxforeducationalpurposes.(a)Theboardofeducationofeach
schooldistrictinacountyinwhichnoindependentschooldistrictislocatedmayby
resolutionandtheboardofeducationofeachcountyschooldistrictandtheboardof
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Analysis Assignment 1
educationofeachindependentschooldistrictlocatedwithinsuchcountymayby
concurrentresolutionsimpose,levy,andcollectasalesandusetaxforeducational
purposesofsuchschooldistrictsconditioneduponapprovalbyamajorityofthequalified
votersresidingwithinthelimitsofthelocaltaxingjurisdictionvotinginareferendum
thereon.Thistaxshallbeattherateof1percentandshallbeimposedforaperiodoftime
nottoexceedfiveyears,butinallotherrespects,exceptasotherwiseprovidedinthis
Paragraph,shallcorrespondtoandbeleviedinthesamemannerasthetaxprovidedfor
byArticle3ofChapter8ofTitle48oftheOfficialCodeofGeorgiaAnnotated,relating
tothespecialcounty1percentsalesandusetax,asnoworhereafteramended.
Proceedingsforthereimpositionofsuchtaxshallbeinthesamemannerasproceedings
fortheinitialimpositionofthetax,butthenewlyauthorizedtaxshallnotbeimposed
untiltheexpirationofthetaxthenineffect.(b)Thepurposeorpurposesforwhichthe
proceedsofthetaxaretobeusedandmaybeexpendedinclude:ArticleVIII.SectionVI.
ParagraphIV.58(1)Capitaloutlayprojectsforeducationalpurposes;(2)Theretirement
ofpreviouslyincurredgeneralobligationdebtwithrespectonlytocapitaloutlayprojects
oftheschoolsystem;provided,however,thatthetaxauthorizedunderthisParagraph
shallonlybeexpendedforthepurposeauthorizedunderthissubparagraph(b)(2)ifallad
valorempropertytaxesleviedorscheduledtobeleviedpriortothematurityofanysuch
thenoutstandinggeneralobligationdebttoberetiredbytheproceedsofthetaximposed
underthisParagraphshallbereducedbyatotalamountequaltothetotalamountof
proceedsofthetaximposedunderthisParagraphtobeappliedtoretiresuchbonded
indebtedness.Intheeventoffailuretocomplywiththerequirementsofthissubparagraph
(b)(2),ascertifiedbytheDepartmentofRevenue,nofurtherfundsshallbeexpended
underthissubparagraph(b)(2)bysuchcountyorindependentboardofeducationandall
suchfundsshallbemaintainedinaseparate,restrictedaccountandheldsolelyforthe
expenditureforfuturecapitaloutlayprojectsforeducationalpurposes;or(3)A
combinationoftheforegoing.(c)Theresolutioncallingfortheimpositionofthetaxand
theballotquestionshalleachdescribe:(1)Thespecificcapitaloutlayprojectstobe
funded,orthespecificdebttoberetired,orboth,ifapplicable;(2)Themaximumcostof
suchprojectorprojectsand,ifapplicable,themaximumamountofdebttoberetired,
whichcostandamountofdebtshallalsobethemaximumamountofnetproceedstobe
raisedbythetax;and(3)Themaximumperiodoftime,tobestatedincalendaryearsor
calendarquartersandnottoexceedfiveyears.(d)NothinginthisParagraphshall
prohibitacountyandthosemunicipalitieslocatedinsuchcountyfromimposingas
additionaltaxeslocalsalesandusetaxesauthorizedbygenerallaw.(e)Thetaximposed
pursuanttothisParagraphshallnotbesubjecttoandshallnotcountwithrespecttoany
generallawlimitationregardingthemaximumamountoflocalsalesandusetaxeswhich
maybeleviedinanyjurisdictioninthisstate.(f)Thetaximposedpursuanttothis
Paragraphshallnotbesubjecttoanysalesandusetaxexemptionwithrespecttothesale
oruseoffoodandbeverageswhichisimposedbylaw.(g)Thenetproceedsofthetax
shallbedistributedbetweenthecountyschooldistrictandtheindependentschool
districts,orportionthereof,locatedinsuchcountyaccordingtotheratiothestudent
enrollmentineachschooldistrict,orportionthereof,bearstothetotalstudentenrollment
ofallschooldistrictsinthecountyoruponsuchotherformulafordistributionasmaybe
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Analysis Assignment 1
authorizedbylocallaw.Forpurposesofthissubparagraph,studentenrollmentshallbe
basedonthelatestFTEcountpriortothereferendumonimposingthetax.(h)Excess
proceedsofthetaxwhichremainfollowingexpenditureofproceedsforauthorized
projectsorpurposesforeducationshallbeusedsolelyforthepurposeofreducArticle
VIII.SectionVI.ParagraphIV.59inganyindebtednessoftheschoolsystem.Inthe
eventthereisnoindebtedness,suchexcessproceedsshallbeusedbysuchschoolsystem
forthepurposeofreducingitsmillagerateinanamountequivalenttotheamountofsuch
excessproceeds.(i)ThetaxauthorizedbythisParagraphmaybeimposed,levied,and
collectedasprovidedinthisParagraphwithoutfurtheractionbytheGeneralAssembly,
buttheGeneralAssemblyshallbeauthorizedbygenerallawtofurtherdefineand
implementitsprovisionsincluding,butnotlimitedto,theauthoritytospecifythe
percentageofnetproceedstobeallocatedamongtheprojectsandpurposesforwhichthe
taxwaslevied.(j)(1)Notwithstandinganyprovisionofanyconstitutionalamendment
continuedinforceandeffectpursuanttoArticleXI,SectionI,ParagraphIV(a)and
exceptasotherwiseprovidedinsubparagraph(j)(2)ofthisParagraph,anypolitical
subdivisionwhoseadvaloremtaxingpowersarerestrictedpursuanttosucha
constitutionalamendmentmayreceivetheproceedsofthetaxauthorizedunderthis
Paragraphorofanylocalsalesandusetaxauthorizedbygenerallaw,oranycombination
ofsuchtaxes,withoutanycorrespondinglimitationofitsadvaloremtaxingpowers
whichwouldotherwiseberequiredundersuchconstitutionalamendment.(2)The
restrictiononandlimitationofadvaloremtaxingpowersdescribedinsubparagraph(j)(1)
ofthisParagraphshallremainapplicablewithrespecttoproceedsreceivedfromthelevy
ofalocalsalesandusetaxspecificallyauthorizedbyaconstitutionalamendmentinforce
andeffectpursuanttoArticleXI,SectionI,ParagraphIV(a),asopposedtoalocalsales
andusetaxauthorizedbythisParagraphorbygenerallaw.

SECTIONVII.EDUCATIONALASSISTANCE

ParagraphI.Educationalassistanceprogramsauthorized.(a)Pursuanttolawsnowor
hereafterenactedbytheGeneralAssembly,publicfundsmaybeexpendedforanyofthe
followingpurposes:(1)Toprovidegrants,scholarships,loans,orotherassistanceto
studentsandtoparentsofstudentsforeducationalpurposes.(2)Toprovideforaprogram
ofguaranteedloanstostudentsandtoparentsofstudentsforeducationalpurposesandto
payinterest,interestsubsidies,andfeestolendersonsuchloans.TheGeneralAssembly
isauthorizedtoprovidesuchtaxexemptionstolendersasshallbedeemedadvisablein
connectionwithsuchprogram.(3)Tomatchfundsnoworhereafteravailableforstudent
assistancepursuanttoanyfederallaw.(4)Toprovidegrants,scholarships,loans,orother
assistancetopublicemployeesforeducationalpurposes.(5)Toprovideforthepurchase
ofloansmadetostudentsforeducationalpurposeswhohavecompletedaprogramof
studyinafieldinwhichcriticalshortagesexistandforcancellationofrepaymentofsuch
loans,interest,andchargesthereon.ArticleVIII.SectionVII.ParagraphI.60(b)
Contributionsmadeinsupportofanyeducationalassistanceprogramnoworhereafter
establishedunderprovisionsofthissectionmaybedeductibleforstateincometax
purposesasnoworhereafterprovidedbylaw.(c)TheGeneralAssemblyshallbe
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Analysis Assignment 1
authorizedbygenerallawtoprovideforaneducationtrustfundtoassiststudentsand
parentsofstudentsinfinancingpostsecondaryeducationandtoprovideforcontracts
betweenthefundandpurchasersfortheadvancepaymentoftuitionbyeachpurchaser
foraqualifiedbeneficiarytoattendastateinstitutionofhighereducation.Suchgeneral
lawshallprovideforsuchterms,conditions,andlimitationsastheGeneralAssembly
shalldeemnecessaryfortheimplementationofthissubparagraph.Notwithstandingany
provisionofthisConstitutiontothecontrary,theGeneralAssemblyshallbeauthorized
toprovidefortheguaranteeofsuchcontractswithstaterevenues.

ParagraphII.Guaranteedrevenuedebt.Guaranteedrevenuedebtmaybeincurredto
providefundstomakeloanstostudentsandtoparentsofstudentsforeducational
purposes,topurchaseloansmadetostudentsandtoparentsofstudentsforeducational
purposes,ortolendormakedepositsofsuchfundswithlenderswhichshallbesecured
byloansmadetostudentsandtoparentsofstudentsforeducationalpurposes.Anysuch
debtshallbeincurredinaccordancewiththeproceduresandrequirementsofArticleVII,
SectionIVofthisConstitution

ParagraphIII.Publicauthorities.Publicauthoritiesorpubliccorporationsheretoforeor
hereaftercreatedforsuchpurposesshallbeauthorizedtoadministereducational
assistanceprogramsand,inconnectiontherewith,mayexercisesuchpowersasmaynow
orhereafterbeprovidedbylaw.

ParagraphIV.Waiveroftuition.TheBoardofRegentsoftheUniversitySystemof
Georgiashallbeauthorizedtoestablishprogramsallowingattendanceatunitsofthe
UniversitySystemofGeorgiawithoutpaymentoftuitionorotherfees,buttheGeneral
Assemblymayprovidebylawfortheestablishmentofanysuchprogramforthebenefit
ofelderlycitizensofthestate.

Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

ChapterV,SectionII.

TheEncouragementofLiterature,etc.
Wisdom,andknowledge,aswellasvirtue,diffusedgenerallyamongthebodyofthe
people,beingnecessaryforthepreservationoftheirrightsandliberties;andasthese
dependonspreadingtheopportunitiesandadvantagesofeducationinthevariouspartsof
thecountry,andamongthedifferentordersofthepeople,itshallbethedutyof
legislaturesandmagistrates,inallfutureperiodsofthiscommonwealth,tocherishthe
interestsofliteratureandthesciences,andallseminariesofthem;especiallythe
universityatCambridge,publicschoolsandgrammarschoolsinthetowns;toencourage
privatesocietiesandpublicinstitutions,rewardsandimmunities,forthepromotionof
agriculture,arts,sciences,commerce,trades,manufactures,andanaturalhistoryofthe
country;tocountenanceandinculcatetheprinciplesofhumanityandgeneral
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Analysis Assignment 1
benevolence,publicandprivatecharity,industryandfrugality,honestyandpunctualityin
theirdealings;sincerity,goodhumor,andallsocialaffections,andgeneroussentiments
amongthepeople.

ArticleXVIII.[Allmoneysraisedbytaxationinthetownsandcitiesforthesupportof
publicschools,andallmoneyswhichmaybeappropriatedbythestateforthesupportof
commonschools,shallbeappliedto,andexpendedin,nootherschoolsthanthosewhich
areconductedaccordingtolaw,undertheorderandsuperintendenceoftheauthoritiesof
thetownorcityinwhichthemoneyistobeexpended;andsuchmoneysshallneverbe
appropriatedtoanyreligioussectforthemaintenanceexclusivelyofitsownschools.

TheconstitutionsofMassachusettsandGeorgiamarktheoldest(Massachusetts)
andnewest(Georgia)stateconstitutionsintheUnitedStates.Mainlywrittenbyfuture
presidentJohnAdams,theMassachusettsstateconstitutionwasputintoeffectin1780
(Malegislature).ThestateconstitutionofGeorgiawascreatedbyaselectcommitteeand
putintoeffectin1983(Senatega).Comparingthesetwoconstitutionsoffersaglimpse
intothewaythatAmericanideasontheroleandpurposeofeducationhaveevolvedsince
thecountrysfounding.
ThestateofGeorgia,accordingtoitsconstitution,guaranteesfreeeducationfor
itscitizenspriortothecollegeorpostsecondarylevel.Lessdirectly,Massachusetts
statesthatitshallbethedutyoflegislaturesandmagistratestocherishtheinterestsof
literatureandthesciences,andallseminariesofthem.Thesetwoconstitutionsoffera
starkcontrastinlanguageandsentiment.WhilethewordsofJohnAdamsarebuiltonthe
spiritofindependence,Georgiasconstitutionwaswrittenwiththeintentionofbrevity,
clarity,andflexibility(Georgiaencyclopedia).TheconstitutionofGeorgiaguarantees
foritscitizensaneducationthattheydescribeasadequate.Massachusettsnotonlylists
theinterestsofliteratureandthesciencesamongthestatesrights,butalsoassertsthat
educationshoulddiffusewisdom,andknowledge,aswellasvirtuethroughoutthe
generalpublic.
Richwiththerepublicanidealsoftheeraofindependence,theMassachusetts
constitutionoffersadescriptionofeducationthattranscendsadequacyandaffirmsthat
educationisnecessaryforthepreservationoftheirrightsandliberties.Furthermore,
AdamsdirectspublicschoolsofMassachusettstoinstillthequalitiesofbenevolence,
charity,honesty,andsincerity,amongothers,intoitscitizenry.Whiletheconstitutionof
Massachusettsfocusesonthevirtuousdutiesofeducation,Georgiasfocalpointliesin
theorganizationofschooling.Georgiasconstitutionalrightstoeducationaredescribed
inafewshortsentences,butthestatespendsparagraphafterparagraphdetailingtherole
ofitsboardofeducation,superintendent,andboardofregents.
Massachusetts,asstatedbyAdams,offersamoreidealisticapproachtoward
educationthantheconstitutionalcommitteeofGeorgia.However,Massachusetts
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Analysis Assignment 1
commitmenttowardeducationgoesbeyondtheflowerylanguageofthefuturepresident.
In2013,Massachusettseducationspent$14,515perstudent,whileGeorgiaspentjust
$9,099(Census).TheBostonschooldistrictspent$20,502perstudent(Census),themost
amongAmericaslargest100districts.Inthatsameyear,Georgiaranked45thamong
statesingraduationrate,whileMassachusettsranked17th(Nces).Lessquantifiableisthe
rateatwhichMassachusettsisinstillingvirtueorsincerityintoitsstudents,butitseems
thatthestatehasatleasthonoredthewordsofthestateconstitutioninitsefforttofund
education.
Itwould,perhaps,beoverlyambitioustoascribethehigherratesofgraduation
andthedifferenceineducationalfundingtoMassachusettsloftyconstitutionalgoalsof
education.GeorgiasplainspokendescriptionofitseducationsystemandMassachusetts
idealisticapproachareequallyvague,withmuchofthesameroomforinterpretationin
regardstotheactualimplementationofschooling.Inrewritingthestatesconstitutionin
1983,itseemsthatGeorgiaismostlydescribinganeducationalsystemthatalready
exists.Adams,however,providesanidealexampleforwhichtostrive.

Methodology

Astheoldestandnewestconstitutions,Ichosethesetwostatesinanefforttosee
thedifferencesineducationalperspectivesfromthelate18thcenturytothelate20th
century.Ifoundbothoftheseconstitutionsthroughtheirstatesrespectivewebsites.The
starkdifferencesintheseconstitutionsapproaches,combinedwiththeirdifferencesin
achievementinfunding,leadsmetoquestionwhethersomethingasbureaucraticasa
stateconstitutioncanplayanactualroleinastatesapproachtowardeducation.

WordCount:607
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Analysis Assignment 1

References

ConstitutionoftheCommonwealthofMassachusetts.(n.d.).Retrievedfrom
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Constitution

GeorgiaStateConstitution.(n.d.).Retrievedfrom
http://www.senate.ga.gov/Documents/gaconstitution.pdf

Government&Politics:ConstitutionalHistory(n.d.).Retrievedfrom
http://m.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/governmentpolitics/georgia
constitution

PublicEducationFinances:2013(n.d.).Retrievedfrom
http://www2.census.gov/govs/school/13f33pub.pdf

Publichighschool4yearadjustedcohortgraduationrate(n.d.).Retrievedfrom
http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/tables/ACGR_201011_to_201213.asp
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Analysis Assignment 1